Chapter 8: Dark Reunion
A/N: Here's the next chapter. I want to get it up before the storms get here this afternoon. As I said in the last chapter, evil is not gone, and you'll see it here. I was debating how best to do this, and I think I've done pretty well with what I have cooked up. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter, but you already know that.
Draco Malfoy made his way to the building where the small group of Death Eaters were meeting. He was very nervous about what he was doing, but he knew it was the best plan. After talking to the Minister of Magic and some of the Aurors, he felt relieved that they had approved of his plan. To be on the safe side, Raymond Savage, one of the top Aurors, was accompanying him in disguise. The cover story they were to use was that Savage, now named Alistair Brentwood, had heard of the group and wanted to join.
Malfoy was shaking. What if the plan failed? He didn't want his son to grow up as he did. No matter what his feelings were in the past, Draco Malfoy had changed and had vowed not to treat his son as his father treated him.
Savage noticed Malfoy's nervous look. "Don't worry, everything will be fine," he reassured him. "As long as we stick to the plan, they won't suspect anything."
Malfoy didn't respond, but he was still a little leery about tis. If it all went wrong, he was dead, and his son would grow up without a father. He pushed these thoughts from his mind and approached the door to the building. He knocked three times, and the door opened. Malfoy slipped inside the room and looked around. It was fairly small with shabby wallpaper and dusty furniture. Sitting around a table were Steven Rookwood, Nathan Macnair, Eric Dolohov, Pansy Parkinson, and Blaise Zabini.
"Ah, Draco, you've come," Rookwood said. "Delightful. And who might your guest be?"
"Alistair Brentwood," Savage replied. "I've been interested in your cause and wish to join you."
"Such a shame you couldn't be here when the Dark Lord was in power," Rookwood told him.
"Yes, I was foolish then," Savage explained. "I was raised with the idea that wizards and Mudbloods should live in harmony. For so long, I parroted my parents' beliefs until I befriended others who thought differently. Then I met Draco, who told me of your group, and I decided to join."
"Is this all we have?"Malfoy said. He surveyed the members who were present as though expecting more.
"Yeah, so far," Rookwood replied. "We tried to bring Nott in, but he refused to join. He said he wanted no part of it. I always knew he was a weak one. We're trying to recruit others, but this is all we have."
"Actually, I did invite someone else here," Macnair interjected. "They should be here soon."
"Oh," said Malfoy. "How are you, Pansy?"
"Much better now that I've left that scum I married," replied Pansy scathingly. "He cheated on me with a Mudblood he met. Just left me and my daughter, Abigail. But no worries. I'll get my revenge on him. What about you, Draco? Are you seeing anyone?"
Malfoy wanted to roll his eyes in contempt but refrained from doing so. "I'm married, and we have a son," he said. "He's thirteen now."
"I see," replied Pansy. "Who did you marry?" She couldn't fathom Draco Malfoy marrying anybody but her. She had once fancied him and wanted him to herself, but that failed after Voldemort's defeat. She had moved on and married a pureblood named Brandon Crawford then had her daughter, Abigail Sofia Crawford. Things seemed to be going well for her until Brandon cheated on her with a Mudblood, leaving her to raise Abigail. She had gone back to her maiden name and changed her daughter's last name as well. She always secretly hoped that she'd see Draco again, and that they would marry, but it was not to be now.
"Astoria Greengrass," answered Draco. "My son's name is Scorpius."
"Well, congratulations," said Pansy bitterly. "At least you have some happiness."
Draco was about to respond when there was another knock on the door. Rookwood pointed his wand at the door and opened it, revealing a stout figure hidden in shadow. Draco gasped as the figure stepped into the light, revealing herself to be Dolores Umbridge.
"What are you doing here?" Malfoy asked.
"I'm here to lead your little group," Umbridge answered. "For too long, I have been at the mercy of blood traitors and Mudbloods usurping my authority. I'm here to help rid the world of such filth and to become the true leader for the purebloods. You need someone who knows how to make people bend to their will. You know how I almost took over Hogwarts. Well, now it's time for all of us to enact our revenge on those who have left us downtrodden."
"Well said," Rookwood praised her. "You're right, and I think you'd be a great leader for our cause. Any objections?"
Everyone shook their heads.
"Good," Rookwood said. "So, what should we do first, Madam Umbridge?"
Umbridge smiled. "I think we should plan carefully before doing anything," she replied. "We need to make sure we don't make any mistakes. We need to recruit more members and see if we can break out some of the ones in Azkaban. That won't be easy, but I'm sure we can manage it if we plan it carefully. After that, we should maybe start at Hogwarts first, since attacking the Ministry right away might not be a good idea. We should bide our time on that, but you can bet that they will pay. If there is anyone you want to enact revenge on, let me know, and we'll make our presence known. We should also go on about our normal business so that we don't attract any unwanted attention. It's best to have spies in places so we can penetrate the weaknesses. We'll meet again next month and go over our first mission. For now, just try and recruit as many followers as you can and bring them to the next meeting."
"So, we can return to our families?" Draco inquired.
"Yes," replied Umbridge. "After all, the Dark Lord's followers kept up appearances, so we should as well."
"What about a name for us?" asked Pansy.
"Ah, yes, I thought about that," Umbridge repied. "Well, I know that most of you are former Death Eaters, but I think that name should stay in the past. I feel that we're starting a new order of things and should call ourselves The New Regime. Any objections?"
No one opposed it.
"Good," Umbridge said. "I suggest we adjourn for now. I will send you an owl for the next meeting. As soon as I can, I'll try to find a more discreet method that won't raise suspicions. Good day to you."
Draco Malfoy got up and left the building followed by Savage. He was anxious to talk to Harry Potter and let him know what was going on. Savage, who had been taking sips of Polyjuice Potion from a flask in his pocket, also thought things looked fishy. Once they were out of earshot of the gathering, he asked Malfoy what he thought about what Umbridge had said.
"It's frightening to say the least," Malfoy admitted. "But I have a feeling she won't succeed at her task."
"Same here," Savage agreed. "I'm going to report to Dawlish about this. You want me to talk to Harry?"
"No, I can do it," Malfoy answered. "I promised him I would keep him up to date on things."
"Good," Savage said. "I'll keep in touch."
Malfoy nodded and Apparated back home. Astoria was surprised to see him but relieved as well. He kissed her on the lips and went to his study to write letters to Harry and Scorpius. He wanted to assure his son that he hadn't abandoned him. After that was done, he ate a good meal and read a book until it was time for bed. He was relieved to be home and happy that he wouldn't have to leave his family. He was still worried about what he had to do, but he had no choice. It just brought back bad memories from when he served the Dark Lord, though Umbridge was far from what Voldemort had been. Yes, she would fail, and he would make sure of it.
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Dolore Umbridge smiled as she thought about her plan. She was determined to overthrow the Ministry and declare herself as Minister of Magic. She also wanted to get rid of Harry Potter, the one who had made the Dark Lord taste defeat. She felt that he needed to do the same and be brought to his knees. But first, she had to recruit members, especially former Death Eaters. Once that was done, her plan would be in motion, and nothing would stop The New Regime.
A/N: Uh-oh. This can't be good if Umbridge is leading a group. I was trying to find a suitable villain and thought that Umbridge would do since she's just as evil as Voldemort. So, what happens next with this New Regime? Well, I'm still trying to figure that out, but I assure you that it won't be good at all. These people are crazy. Feel free to leave a review to let me know what you thought.
